Britain
has formally recognised the newly united Syrian
opposition as the "sole legitimate
representative" of the Syrian people and promised
new aid for the uprising against Bashar al-Assad.

William
Hague made the announcement in a statement to MPs on
Tuesday. It marks a significant shift in British policy
and follows a similar move by
France
last week. It goes beyond a more cautious endorsement by
the EU on Monday.

Britain
today became the second European nation to recognise a
new opposition group as the legitimate representatives
of the Syrian people.

William
Hague made the announcement, which opens up new avenues
for the British government to provide support to the
rebels fighting to oust President Assad, in a statement
to Parliament on the conflict.

LONDON—The U.K. government on Tuesday formally recognized
Syria
's new umbrella opposition group as the representative
of the country's people, adding momentum to
international support for a coalition the West hopes can
topple the regime of President Bashar al-Assad